Nearly all the products in our print finishing range can be purchased ‘buy the metre’ allowing you to buy only what you need for specific jobs, especially important for the higher value and specialised laminates.

Our range of easy to use, tried and tested soft signage print fabrics are suitable for UV, Solvent, Latex and Dye-sublimation printers. We also offer the ancillaries you need to produce display frames, lightboxes, flags and banners.

A fully profiled range of aqueous print media: papers, pop-up, roll-up, window & backlit display films, vinyls and canvases for water based inkjet printers.
Perfectly suited for the range of water based inkjet printers on the market today!

We have been selling the Nazdar range of Digital Solvent inks for over 7 years and they have proved to be no-fuss, ‘plug and play’ inks for the leading Solvent printers in the UK.

A range of pressure-sensitive Screen Print Media available in sheets and rolls that are suitable for most common screen printing inks used for self-adhesive films - For applications onto flat-sides these outdoor films offer excellent conversion and printing characteristics, plus outstanding stability.

A range of sign making tools and accessories for graphics installers, sign makers and for print producers that are designed to make life a little easier for you.

Cautionary Notes For The Use Of Self-Adhesive Materials

These Cautionary Notes are a general guide to the use of self-adhesive materials and for installations in different conditions.

Hot weather

Heat causes the adhesive to become more viscous and tacky, whilst softening the face film.
If possible, avoid applications in direct sunlight and excess heat, as the adhesive tends to grab at the substrate on impact.

Cold weather

Cold causes the face film to become harder and more brittle, it also impedes adhesion and makes the adhesive less viscous; hence extra care must be taken when handling the product.
Make sure that the minimum application temperature for the grade of vinyl being used is adhered to. In general, the minimum temperature for permanent adhesives is approx. 10°C.
In cold weather it may be necessary to use a new blade when cutting, as an older blade may skid over the surface of the film.
As previously mentioned, the cold weather makes the film brittle, which can result in problems when weeding.
If possible, it is helpful to allow the films to acclimatise to room temperature prior to cutting and weeding.

Wet application

Water freezes, so avoid using the wet application method in freezing weather conditions.

Cleanliness

All substrates must be clean and free from grease, dirt and foreign matter.
We recommend the use of a proprietary degreaser such as Avery Dennison Surface Cleaner for cleaning the substrate prior to application.
Correct cleaning and application will significantly improve the performance of the self-adhesive material.

Washing

After application of a sign to a vehicle, the vehicle should not be washed for several days.
Power washers can remove or damage vinyl lettering if too powerful or directed at an angle to the lettering.

Printing

Most of our films can be screen printed and some can also be printed digitally, on UV, Solvent, Latex or thermal resin type printers.
If printing, it is the responsibility of the purchaser to test for ink compatibility.

Out-gassing

Some plastic materials, i.e. fibreglass, acrylic and polycarbonate can out-gas, causing bubbling under the film and eventual failure of the adhesive.
Out-gassing can similarly occur, when self-adhesive films are applied to a newly painted surface.
For example, when using two-pack paints, most paint manufacturers recommend a drying time of at least 12 hours at 20°C.
Our experience suggests that this can be an insufficient drying time before the application of self-adhesive films.
We recommend a curing time of at least 72 hours prior to application.
All reflective films are particularly prone to out-gassing problems.

Plasticiser migration

Some flexible PVC substrates, i.e. banners, curtain sides and other PVC films, contain plasticisers to varying degrees.
Heavily plasticised films have a tendency to ‘leach out’ plasticisers during their lifetime.
Therefore when a self-adhesive film is applied to one of these substrates, the plasticisers in the substrate will tend to migrate out of the substrate and start to breakdown the adhesive.
Through time, this can lead to adhesion problems, cracking of the self-adhesive graphics, and staining of the substrate.

Adhesive milking

Some water or aqueous based adhesives will turn white or ‘milky’ when in contact with water and can look unsightly on glass substrates.
The milking will disappear after several hours, occasionally longer, depending on the film being used and atmospheric conditions.
Cold temperatures increase the milking effect and extend the time it will take for the effect to disappear.
The use of RAPIDTAC will often reduce or eliminate this milking effect.

Location and orientation

The life cycle of our materials is greatly reduced when applied horizontally, as a rule-of-thumb half the vertical life.
Take extra caution when applying to bonnets as the engine heat can damage some materials such as reflective films.

Window graphics

Most of the films featured in the product portfolio can be applied to glass windows.
However, there is a small but theoretical risk of the glass cracking.
Cracking of glass, although rare, can occur if large expanses of dark material are applied to the inside or outside of the window panes.
The reason for this is that glass absorbs energy from the sun and there is a higher absorption level where there are large areas of opaque or dark colours.
This can cause the glass to ‘dilate’.
Some of the critical conditions that can combine and may cause glass failure are: south facing exposure, excessively large and opaque areas of the glass, spring and autumn months, extreme temperatures between night and day, and dilation differences between the covered and exposed glass.
The darker and more opaque the colour of vinyl used, the greater the risk of cracking.
If using opaque black or other dark shades, it is generally recommended to avoid applying large areas of vinyl to the window.
These precautionary measures should keep the risk to a minimum.

Magnetic PVC

Both the vehicle surface and the brown magnetic side of the sign should be clean, dry and lightly waxed prior to application.
Pay particular attention to the edges of the sign and particularly the leading edge.
Let one edge of the sign contact the vehicle in the desired position then let the magnet contact the vehicle positioning itself in the correct position.
Bear in mind the aerodynamics of the vehicle when positioning signs – avoid bonnets at all costs as there will be too much air turbulence.
Make sure that the entire surface of the sign is smoothly against the vehicle especially under the forward facing edge.
In the winter the temperature of the sign should be about 10°C during application.
Care should be taken with metallic finishes, such surfaces should be checked often.
A generous waxing of both the back of the sign and where it will be placed will help to prevent any damage.
Re-painted vehicle surfaces and those of new cars should be avoided for a minimum three months and must be wax polished before the sign is to be fitted, to seal the surface.
Do not position over engine compartments as the heat may damage the sign and the vehicle.
Remove the sign at least once a week and wipe dry both the magnetic side and the surface of the vehicle.
This will keep the moisture from collecting, which can potentially damage the surface of the vehicle.
Make sure that the sign is removed after rain, sleet or snow and wiped dry, as moisture collecting behind the sign may damage it and possibly the vehicle if left unchecked.
During cold weather allow the sign to uncurl in a warm atmosphere before use.

Do you have any questions about our self-adhesive media?

For all enquiries and to request samples and pricing, call us on: 01753 696977 or 01709 829800 or email: sales@allprint.co.uk

Technical advice and support

For technical advice, support on how to get the best out of our products, to place orders, or ask about our range of sign, display and graphics media and tools for signmakers and printers, call our sales offices: Southern Sales: 01753 696977, Northern Sales: 01709 829800 or email sales@allprint.co.uk